FC vs PT re; Repairs and Complexities

[martymc_99]

As a relatively mechanically
challenged "wanabee" (maybe can handle a spin on oil filter!)...are the
FC's less or maybe more difficult to keep running than say a mid 80's
PT? Also, along the same theme...is a mid 90's PTs less likely to have
repair "issues"? Other than the fact it is newer?

Seems to me the BB's are substantially more mechanically complex...ie
multiple of everything? Should I maybe look for a pop-up trailer? Or
should I get a diesel mechanic on retainer?

What say you??? Tom Rootness in Northern Minnesota

P.S. I also posted on the other BB site...hope that is not against the
Law!

[mbulriss]

Tom,

ANY motorhome will have repair issues, even a new one. Typically, my
experience has been with the various systems rather than the running
gear, so diesel repairs is not really the issue (assuming a sound
investment to begin with and good maintenance practices). As you get
more amenities, you get more complex systems and more potential for
failure/learning experiences. Wanderlodges are full of amenities. It
is a worthwhile investment to get a good inspection from a
knowledgable party before buying if you are totally unfamiliar with RVs.

If you are truly mechanically challenged and unwilling to learn, then
a new coach that can be taken to the dealer under warranty for
everything that goes wrong may be the way to go. You bite the bullet
on depreciation. If you are mechanically inexperienced, but willing
to learn and try, then the various Wanderlodge forums will be there to
help you out. If you out-source all the repairs, you bite the bullet
on repair costs. As an example of the help available on the forums,
one of our female members that inherited a vintage Bird just had the
experience of learning how to remove, repair and replace a generator
radiator with the help of the forum members. I think she learned that
it isn't rocket science and that step by step input can save lots of
otherwise out-sourced repair costs.

Pop-up trailer?! Kind of a stretch versus a Bird. Are you seriously
looking? On the other hand, we went from a tent to a PT, so I
understand about stepping up in class!

Good luck in your decision. And, yes, we have members on many other
BB sites, so post away!

Mike Bulriss
83 PT40 "Stagecoach" - For Sale
91 PT40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "martymc_99"
wrote:
> As a relatively mechanically
> challenged "wanabee" (maybe can handle a spin on oil filter!)...are the
> FC's less or maybe more difficult to keep running than say a mid 80's
> PT? Also, along the same theme...is a mid 90's PTs less likely to have
> repair "issues"? Other than the fact it is newer?
>
> Seems to me the BB's are substantially more mechanically complex...ie
> multiple of everything? Should I maybe look for a pop-up trailer? Or
> should I get a diesel mechanic on retainer?
>
> What say you??? Tom Rootness in Northern Minnesota
>
> P.S. I also posted on the other BB site...hope that is not against the
> Law!

[Ralph L. Fullenwider]

Hi Tom:

The systems in the Pt's and Fc's are much the same, save for locations and
a couple of extra systems such as tag dump and air throttle, high idle
systems. Some things are easier to maintain on the Pt's, but then there are
some on the Fc's that are easier, again, location of components. Roominess
is the key here really. There is more storage in the Pt vs the FC, so
really we are talking apples and oranges in a way. One advantage of a Pt
would be the engine. The piston cylinders are sleeved where the FC is not
as a rule, so an in frame rebuild, if needed, is better. There are so many
differences, yet similarities that answering your question is a hard one.

Like Mike said, things are going to happen no matter what you have. I saw a
guy with a pop up trailer with wheel bearings on fire and the small A/C
unit on top was torn 1/2 off, so go figure. Thing is, once you become
accustomed to what ever you end up with, you learn it's idiosyncrasies and
go from there.

Safe travels,

Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
Ralph's RV Solutions, Duncan, Oklahoma
http://home.swbell.net/rlf47/index.htm

At 10:41 PM 9/16/2005 +0000, you wrote:
>As a relatively mechanically
>challenged "wanabee" (maybe can handle a spin on oil filter!)...are the
>FC's less or maybe more difficult to keep running than say a mid 80's
>PT? Also, along the same theme...is a mid 90's PTs less likely to have
>repair "issues"? Other than the fact it is newer?
>
>Seems to me the BB's are substantially more mechanically complex...ie
>multiple of everything? Should I maybe look for a pop-up trailer? Or
>should I get a diesel mechanic on retainer?
>
>What say you??? Tom Rootness in Northern Minnesota
>
>P.S. I also posted on the other BB site...hope that is not against the
>Law!
>
>

[martymc_99]

Mike...the pop of trailer was not serious.

What has been your observation having moved from your FC to the "newer"
PT? Similar systems and challenges...other than a bit newer?

I actually am not averse to mechanical efforts...just have learned that
the "learning curve" is painful without direction.

My preference after reading adds for a year is the '91-'95 PTs. Seems
like the interiors are more "modern" and wife actually likes what they
look like. One question is determining what they actually sell
for...many are priced high and just sit there.

Maybe you could share (by e-mail) your buying experience vs pricing in
the various adds? Also, where did you find your PT?

Thanks for your input...those BB's are sure unique!...Tom Rootness in
Northern Minnesota

[Mike Hohnstein]

I've been RVing since 77, had truck campers, fifth wheels, and several class As.
To me the FC Wanderlodge is a hard act to beat if one like retro things and
doesn't need to have a new vehicle every couple of years. I got over that when
I couldn't find the time to use the units we owned at the time but the payments
came due every month. Worst experience was the 36' Southwind that was one year
old and had to have a side replaced and the frame straightened. 7 mos. in the
shop while I made the payments. It was under warrantee but I didn't like the
experience.
A Wanderlodge will last for generations if not subjected to the elements, left
sitting under a tree in the grass for instance. That's what I want, don't need
a slide room.
Mike Hohnstein
----- Original Message -----
From: martymc_99
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, September 16, 2005 7:33 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: FC vs PT re; Repairs and Complexities


Mike...the pop of trailer was not serious.

What has been your observation having moved from your FC to the "newer"
PT? Similar systems and challenges...other than a bit newer?

I actually am not averse to mechanical efforts...just have learned that
the "learning curve" is painful without direction.

My preference after reading adds for a year is the '91-'95 PTs. Seems
like the interiors are more "modern" and wife actually likes what they
look like. One question is determining what they actually sell
for...many are priced high and just sit there.

Maybe you could share (by e-mail) your buying experience vs pricing in
the various adds? Also, where did you find your PT?

Thanks for your input...those BB's are sure unique!...Tom Rootness in
Northern Minnesota




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[mbulriss]

Tom,

Moving from the 83 PT to the 91 PT was not too bad in terms of
learning curve on the systems. Similar systems with similar
challenges, but newer as you said. Lots of things don't seem to be
where I left them! After eight years with the 83, I pretty much knew
where every switch and load center was without hardly looking. Not
much is the same in that regard. Haven't had time to read the manuals
yet on the 91, so we have searched for some items and felt like
newbies when we found them.

Newer doesn't necessarily always mean better. I will miss the 83's
Digitell (audio diagnostic unit - aka "the little talking man"). So
far, I think the ducted cruise airs on the 83 are more efficient than
the ducted roof top airs on the 91. I liked the big honking steel
chrome bumpers on the 83, versus the fiberglass coated ones on the 91.
In many ways, lots of other system things were much simpler in
design/de-bug on the 83 than the 91.

The one thing about both of the Birds is how solid they are built.
Both of our Birds will most probably outlive me - and I don't intend
to go away soon! Like Ralph mentioned, we were returning from South
Padre Island a year ago and we saw a travel trailer that was totally
indistinguishable as to what it used to be. There was a frame and the
largest other piece was about 2 feet square and 2 inches thick.
Contrast that to one of our members rolled a Bird over last year, down
an incline and into a tree. They walked away. Looking at pictures of
the Bird from the front, you would not really notice that there had
been an accident, until you noticed the windshield they kicked out.
Versus any comparable age SOB, the Birds remind me of the MasterCard
ad - purchase cost: high; operating cost: expensive; comfort and
safety factor: priceless.

I sent you a note via email as requested with contact info to discuss
the purchase related questions.

Mike Bulriss
83 PT40 "Stagecoach" - For Sale
91 PT40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "martymc_99"
wrote:
> Mike...the pop of trailer was not serious.
>
> What has been your observation having moved from your FC to the "newer"
> PT? Similar systems and challenges...other than a bit newer?
>
> I actually am not averse to mechanical efforts...just have learned that
> the "learning curve" is painful without direction.
>
> My preference after reading adds for a year is the '91-'95 PTs. Seems
> like the interiors are more "modern" and wife actually likes what they
> look like. One question is determining what they actually sell
> for...many are priced high and just sit there.
>
> Maybe you could share (by e-mail) your buying experience vs pricing in
> the various adds? Also, where did you find your PT?
>
> Thanks for your input...those BB's are sure unique!...Tom Rootness in
> Northern Minnesota

[Jeff August]

Tom
With the help of this and the other boards you can over come most of
the problems, also find somewhere to fix the things like chassis and
engine problems that might come up.We have a freind that keeps a
fleet of trucks on the road and a fleet service place that will do
what he dosn't have time to look at. A regular motorhome place will
look at it and wonder what they are going to do with this thing!
When we bought our FC we were overwhelmed to say the least, but with
some help from here in time you can do what you thought you couldn't
do at first.To me its like a part time job as there is always
something that you could do,today I will remove and resecure the
sewer hose holder, fix the banging under the bus from the step,and
try to figure out how to fix the hole on the muffler for the perkins
generator.
Either a FC or a PT will be some work, but if we can own one of these
fine coaches you can handle it too.
Don't be like my neigbor and try and one up me by buying a 1981
Airstream motohome, now that is a coach I would never try and drive
father than 30 miles much less through Chicago!
Michelle and Jeff August
1980FCRB (6500 miles this summer)
Plymouth Wi.
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@y...>
wrote:
> Tom,
>
> Moving from the 83 PT to the 91 PT was not too bad in terms of
> learning curve on the systems. Similar systems with similar
> challenges, but newer as you said. Lots of things don't seem to be
> where I left them! After eight years with the 83, I pretty much
knew
> where every switch and load center was without hardly looking. Not
> much is the same in that regard. Haven't had time to read the
manuals
> yet on the 91, so we have searched for some items and felt like
> newbies when we found them.
>
> Newer doesn't necessarily always mean better. I will miss the 83's
> Digitell (audio diagnostic unit - aka "the little talking man"). So
> far, I think the ducted cruise airs on the 83 are more efficient
than
> the ducted roof top airs on the 91. I liked the big honking steel
> chrome bumpers on the 83, versus the fiberglass coated ones on the
91.
> In many ways, lots of other system things were much simpler in
> design/de-bug on the 83 than the 91.
>
> The one thing about both of the Birds is how solid they are built.
> Both of our Birds will most probably outlive me - and I don't intend
> to go away soon! Like Ralph mentioned, we were returning from South
> Padre Island a year ago and we saw a travel trailer that was totally
> indistinguishable as to what it used to be. There was a frame and
the
> largest other piece was about 2 feet square and 2 inches thick.
> Contrast that to one of our members rolled a Bird over last year,
down
> an incline and into a tree. They walked away. Looking at pictures
of
> the Bird from the front, you would not really notice that there had
> been an accident, until you noticed the windshield they kicked out.
> Versus any comparable age SOB, the Birds remind me of the MasterCard
> ad - purchase cost: high; operating cost: expensive; comfort and
> safety factor: priceless.
>
> I sent you a note via email as requested with contact info to
discuss
> the purchase related questions.
>
> Mike Bulriss
> 83 PT40 "Stagecoach" - For Sale
> 91 PT40 "Texas Minivan"
> San Antonio, TX
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "martymc_99"
> wrote:
> > Mike...the pop of trailer was not serious.
> >
> > What has been your observation having moved from your FC to
the "newer"
> > PT? Similar systems and challenges...other than a bit newer?
> >
> > I actually am not averse to mechanical efforts...just have
learned that
> > the "learning curve" is painful without direction.
> >
> > My preference after reading adds for a year is the '91-'95 PTs.
Seems
> > like the interiors are more "modern" and wife actually likes what
they
> > look like. One question is determining what they actually sell
> > for...many are priced high and just sit there.
> >
> > Maybe you could share (by e-mail) your buying experience vs
pricing in
> > the various adds? Also, where did you find your PT?
> >
> > Thanks for your input...those BB's are sure unique!...Tom
Rootness in
> > Northern Minnesota

[martymc_99]

Thanks Jeff...for the encouragement! I have been studying for over a
year...and keep coming back to the BBs! I do think I need to plan the
garage before I take the plinge...I know I am not willing to work on it
outside...except in emergency.

BTW where is Plymouth, WI. We have a home North of Duluth and a
townhouse in Eden Prairie...a Mpls suburb.

Thank You...Tom Rootness

[Al]

Tom,
While you are looking at FC & PT, don't forget the BMC line.
You will be able to purchase a 4 - 5 year newer bird for same money
of PT. Have updated interiors and bullet proof cummings engine.
You will not have all the amnenties as the wanderlodge but the
systems you do have will be 4 - 5 years newer. You will get better
fuel mileage on the BMC compared to the PT. The BMC will get 8 mpg
running all day at interstate speeds. BMC is a best kept secret of
Bluebird.

Al & Kathy Johnson
Mandeville, Louisiana ( being a lumberjack for a long time due to
the wrath of Ms. Katrina. ) Someday we will have all the trees
cleaned off our property.

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "martymc_99"
wrote:
> Mike...the pop of trailer was not serious.
>
> What has been your observation having moved from your FC to
the "newer"
> PT? Similar systems and challenges...other than a bit newer?
>
> I actually am not averse to mechanical efforts...just have learned
that
> the "learning curve" is painful without direction.
>
> My preference after reading adds for a year is the '91-'95 PTs.
Seems
> like the interiors are more "modern" and wife actually likes what
they
> look like. One question is determining what they actually sell
> for...many are priced high and just sit there.
>
> Maybe you could share (by e-mail) your buying experience vs
pricing in
> the various adds? Also, where did you find your PT?
>
> Thanks for your input...those BB's are sure unique!...Tom Rootness
in
> Northern Minnesota

[Al]

Tom,
Sorry we also own a '96 BMC 37' and love it!

Al & Kathy Johnson
Mandeville, Lousiana
'96 BMC 37'
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "martymc_99"
wrote:
> Mike...the pop of trailer was not serious.
>
> What has been your observation having moved from your FC to
the "newer"
> PT? Similar systems and challenges...other than a bit newer?
>
> I actually am not averse to mechanical efforts...just have learned
that
> the "learning curve" is painful without direction.
>
> My preference after reading adds for a year is the '91-'95 PTs.
Seems
> like the interiors are more "modern" and wife actually likes what
they
> look like. One question is determining what they actually sell
> for...many are priced high and just sit there.
>
> Maybe you could share (by e-mail) your buying experience vs
pricing in
> the various adds? Also, where did you find your PT?
>
> Thanks for your input...those BB's are sure unique!...Tom Rootness
in
> Northern Minnesota